A Star is Torn

Schnitty Theatre

14th Feb – 19th Mar

Holden Street Theatres

Adelaide Fringe Festival 2023

Greg Fleet wears many caps for his latest venture – playwright, comedian, and actor. Joining him on stage is fellow comedian Kru Harale and actor Brant Eustice. A Star is Torn is equal parts comedy, drama, and tragedy. Amalee (Harale) is a dynamic comedian on her way up, when she is heckled by an audience member, who happens to be her comedic hero Matt Francis (Fleet). What follows is an unlikely friendship.

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Fleet portrays a comedy great, who battles personal demons and self-medicates with booze and drugs. Harale is new to the scene and plays her part with naivety and promise. The dynamic between both characters is sincere and allows the audience to be invested in their outcomes. Eustice is Francis’s long-suffering manager and takes on Amalee as a client.

We get a glimpse of both artists as stand-up comedians, followed by the relationship formed off the stage. Whilst Amali is pro-active in furthering her career, Francis seems hell-bent on destroying his. The reasons for his downward spiral are briefly mentioned; his father faking his own death when Francis was young is a definite catalyst. 

Fleet portrays the burnt-out Francis with authenticity. With many storylines mimicking his own personal challenges. Thankfully, Fleet overcame his opposition to bring us this story. The outcome for his alter-ago Francis is not as optimistic.

My hope is that Fleet expands on this script, giving his characters more depth, as it holds an important message. I found myself wanting to know more about Matt Francis’s fall from grace, so I could better understand his choices.

This was an entertaining hour, filled with laughter and sorrow, but it still left me wanting more.

Kerry Cooper